We are stoked to become the first overseas affiliated club for the Federated Mountain Club of NZ (FMC).

On a recent trip over the ditch, I was inspired by the wonderfulness of the FMC. Hiking, heckling helicopters, community service, appreciation and adventures.

My crew of hiking buddies did the Greenstone Caples hike. 5 glorious rainy, muddy, offline days tramping through the mountains and valleys.

I find group hikes and communal huts are an opportunity to both escape from and reflect on humanity. Breakfast can feel like a suspect line-up, squinting at bunk-mates, pondering whether snorers can be identified by gender or nationality – until caffeine and adventure-ahead overcome the broken sleep.

Having sprained my ankle on day 1, I spent a rest day in the hut while friends took nearby summit side-quest. During this delightful, meditative day, I found hope for humankind and kindred spirits in the tattered old copies of the FMC Journals.

When reception kicked in again on the bus back to Queenstown, I keenly searched the FMC website, hoping to join an affiliated club in Australia. Disappointed there wasn’t one and invigorated by snow-melt stream swims, we have started Wild Awe club.

So, if you found us through the Federated Mountain Club overseas club search – welcome!

So far, our club is pretty low key – we are going to publish a journal and have some parties. By subscribing to the Wild Awe membership newsletter, you can also receive the FMC Journal – digital version. You will also receive invitations to our seasonal Confluence in Magandjin / Brisbane. Please send us your hike reviews and photos to include in the next Journal.

If you would like to get more involved in building our club into something more, lets do it!

As the FMC says… Join us, if you too believe in an outdoor life worth living.

🪲
Keep being awesome.

xxx Kate